San Diego Domestic Violence Council, Verizon Wireless And Blue Shield Unveil "Another Man Against Violence Against Women" Campaign

SAN DIEGO, CA — The San Diego Domestic Violence Council today introduced "Another Man Against Violence Against Women," a new educational program that seeks to involve men in raising their awareness about preventing sexual assault, domestic violence and sexual harassment against women. Sponsored by Verizon Wireless and Blue Shield, the program introduced new educational tools on CD-ROMs, and "Another Man Against Violence Against Women" posters and mouse pads listing a toll-free hotline number for victims (1-888-305-SAFE).

The tools were distributed today to more than 200 attendees of the second Men's Leadership Forum, an annual meeting hosted by the San Diego Domestic Violence Council, which was held at the Islandia Hyatt Regency in San Diego.

"10 women die everyday in the U.S. as a result of abuse and Valentines Day is no exception," said Lt. Jim Barker, San Diego Police Department and co-chair of the Men's Leadership Forum. "Domestic violence against women is an important public health concern, in which men must become actively involved for substantive change and healing to occur."

"As men, we are not only responsible for our own behaviors and attitudes toward women but acknowledge that to eradicate men's violence against women, we must reach out and appropriately confront our violent and abusive brothers including friends, teammates, colleagues and co-workers," added Barker. "The 'Another Man Against Violence Against Women' poster, CD-ROMs and mouse pads are new tools we are using to generate awareness of the epidemic."

San Diego City Attorney Casey Gwinn helped introduce the posters, stressing to corporate leaders and local officials that domestic violence is an epidemic that all men must address.

"The San Diego Domestic Violence Council and Verizon Wireless should be commended for their on-going efforts to create awareness for the serious problem of domestic violence and its impact on women," said City Attorney Casey Gwinn. "We hope more organizations, companies and individuals get involved to help put an end to this alarming trend -- the growing problem of domestic violence across our nation. This is a great example of a public and private partnership that provides an important service to our community and saves the taxpayers money."

"With nearly one-third of American women reporting abuse at some point in their lives, domestic violence is an epidemic that can affect anyone," said Greg Klimek, regional president, Verizon Wireless. "That is why in addition to donating phones and airtime to battered women's shelters, Verizon Wireless is encouraging community leaders in San Diego to join the domestic violence awareness and prevention effort by boldly displaying the Another Man Against Violence Against Women posters."

Last year, Verizon Wireless, Mayor Dick Murphy, City Attorney Casey Gwinn, the San Diego Domestic Violence Council, and other partners launched a cooperative effort aimed at reducing domestic violence in San Diego. The campaign includes outreach to local businesses, an ongoing phone collection drive at Verizon Wireless retail stores, and a donation of 400 digital wireless phones and free service to the Domestic Violence Unit of the City Attorney's Office. The unit distributes these phones directly to victims or to domestic violence prevention agencies throughout San Diego.

Facts About

The City of San Diego works diligently to help victims of domestic violence and maintains aggressive domestic violence units in both the City Attorney's Office and the Police Department. According to City Attorney Gwinn, the new partnership is yet another way the City can expand its effort to protect victims of domestic violence and reduce this crime in the future. More information about the City's two domestic violence units can be found on the City's web site at www.ci.san-diego.ca.us.

The San Diego Domestic Violence Council was established in 1989 by a countywide network of battered women's programs, criminal justice agencies, and other organizations and individuals that share the common goal of ending violence against women and children in the City and County of San Diego. Members of the council have offered to help local businesses by providing training and information about local resources and upcoming events. For more information about the council, visit its web site at www.sandiegodvcouncil.org.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the leading wireless communications provider in the U.S., with the largest wireless network and more than 29.4 million customers. The coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Verizon Wireless has a footprint covering more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 97 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The company, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 40,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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